Beijing dismisses Ankara's fasting complaints
China has expressed concern over Turkey's recent complaints about Beijing's restrictions on the fasting of Chinese Uighur Muslims during the holy month of Ramadan.
“We have expressed concerns over the statement made by Turkish Foreign Ministry,” China's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Hua Chunying, said Wednesday, adding that Beijing had demanded that Ankara clarify its complaints about restrictions on fasting in China’s northwestern region of Xinjiang, which is home to Uighur Muslims.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Turkish Foreign Ministry expressed its “deep concern” about restrictions on worship and fasting for Muslims in Xinjiang, saying it was “saddened" by the restrictive policies.
But Hua said Beijing has never imposed restrictions on the constitutional freedoms of Muslims in Xinjiang, adding, “You should know that all the people of Xinjiang enjoy the freedom of religious belief accorded to them by the Chinese constitution."
China reportedly banned fasting for teachers, students and civil servants in Xinjiang at the start of Ramadan in mid-June.
Rights groups have long complained that China’s restrictive policies have led to escalated ethnic tensions in Xinjiang, where clashes between government forces and locals have left hundreds killed over the past years.
Chinese officials cite security reasons for their crackdown, saying they are faced with “terrorist threats” in the region.
The Chinese government has reportedly ordered its police and court officials in Awat County to “take the lead in teaching family members not to fast and not to participate in Ramadan-related religious activities.”
Muslims in Turkey have close cultural and ethnic links to the Uighurs in China.
MS/KA/GHN
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